The training, testing, and research center of Reynaers Aluminium (Reynaers Institute), located in Duffel, Belgium, recently completed the expansion of its facilities with the inauguration of the R-Cube, a rotating climatic simulator that allows testing engineers to evaluate their products, including high-performance sliding and hinged systems.
With this new investment, the brand reaffirms its vision of positioning the Reynaers Institute as the leading center of excellence in the industry for developing energy-efficient and comfortable construction solutions. The rotating R-Cube has been developed to provide reliable analyses of the performance of sliding systems, doors, and windows, enabling product designers to develop even more sustainable, energy-efficient, and comfortable aluminum construction solutions.
The R-Cube allows buildings to be exposed to a combination of different temperatures, air tightness, wind, humidity, and varying solar conditions. This enables Reynaers engineers to compare and evaluate different solutions for shading, natural ventilation, types of glazing connections, and construction with respect to different building orientations.
Additionally, double façade solutions can be studied in detail to assess comfort and energy performance.
The R-Cube has a fully automated controller, allowing freely programmable temperature and relative humidity cycles. This makes it possible to simulate winter or summer conditions whenever requested.
The center features a complete data logging system to store all relevant information, such as energy use (cooling/heating) and different temperatures around the R-Cube. Other technologies used in the R-Cube include an infrared camera and a testing fan installation in the door. This equipment allows for precise monitoring of temperature differences, evaluating insulation, and identifying the overall air tightness of a given building.
The overall U value of the R-Cube is 0.12 W/m² K (the U value ranges from 0.08 W/m K to 0.16 W/m K), which can be considered as a passive house.
Reynaers Institute
Alongside the R-Cube, the Reynaers Institute features an area of 2,800 m² dedicated to testing, trials, and research installations, housing sophisticated testing equipment, including 4 air turbines and water jets, with cyclic and mechanical testing using machines and acoustic chambers.
Every year, an average of around 140 tests are conducted at the Reynaers Institute, in accordance with European parameters regarding quality, durability, and reliability. These tests are performed following standardized systems related to all certifications that must be adhered to, along with the development of alternative solutions specifically designed for large-scale projects.
